PASSOVER CHAMETZ REMOVAL CHECKLIST
Remove or Sell the Following Items:
A. Chametz Foods (Leavened Grain Products):
[ ] Bread, bagels, pita, rolls
[ ] Pasta, noodles
[ ] Crackers, cookies, cakes, cereal
[ ] Beer, whiskey, vodka (grain-based)
[ ] Flour (not labeled Kosher for Passover)
[ ] Breadcrumbs, croutons
[ ] Soups/sauces with flour or chametz thickeners
[ ] Baking mixes (pancake, cake, etc.)
B. Leavening Agents:
[ ] Sourdough starter
[ ] Brewer’s yeast
[ ] Dry yeast (unless Kosher for Passover)
[ ] Beer sediment or brewing kits
[ ] Fermented grain drinks (e.g. kvass)
C. Areas to Clean:
[ ] Toaster (remove crumbs)
[ ] Breadbox
[ ] Pantry shelves
[ ] Refrigerator and freezer
[ ] Kitchen drawers and counters
[ ] Chametz utensils/pots (store or kasher if needed)
What to Do with Chametz:
[ ] Burn or destroy chametz before Passove
[ ] Sell chametz through a rabbi or online service
[ ] Seal and label sold chametz clearly: “Sold – Do Not Open”
This guide combines a comprehensive household chametz checklist with a leavening agent cheat sheet to help you prepare your home for Passover according to halacha (Jewish law).
1. Food Items
Item | Chametz? | What to Do
Bread, crackers, pasta | Yes | Destroy or sell before Passover
Flour (wheat, barley, etc.) | Yes | Destroy or sell
Oats | Yes | Destroy or sell
Beer, whiskey, vodka | Yes | Sell if valuable, or destroy
Soy sauce | Usually | Avoid or sell
Cereal | Usually | Destroy or sell
White vinegar | Maybe | Avoid unless certified Kosher for Passover
Apple cider vinegar | Maybe | Avoid unless certified KFP
Wine | No | (KFP) Use only if Kosher for Passover
Coffee, tea (plain) | No | OK if unflavored and certified KFP (best)
Spices | Maybe | Use only with KFP certification
Sugar, salt, pepper | No | OK if pure and without additives
Honey, oil | No | Use only if KFP certified
Baking soda (bicarb) | No | Keep — safe for Passover use
Baking powder | Maybe | Use only if KFP certified
Nutritional yeast | No | Keep or use KFP-certified version
Vinegar-based sauces | Usually | Sell or destroy
Chocolate, candy, gummies | Usually| Avoid unless KFP certified
Keto/health snacks | Usually | Avoid or sell unless certified
2. Cleaning Products
Item | Chametz? | What to Do
Dish soap | No | Keep
Laundry detergent | No | Keep
Bleach, ammonia | No | Keep
Window cleaner | No | Keep
Surface sprays | No | Keep
Vinegar-based cleaners | No | Keep (not for food use)
3. Personal Care / Medicine
Item | Chametz? | What to Do
Toothpaste | Maybe | Replace with KFP version if possible
Mouthwash | Maybe | Replace or avoid
Shampoo, soap | No | Keep
Lotion, cosmetics | No | Keep unless flavored
Lip balm/lipstick | Maybe | Replace with KFP if flavored
Vitamins, supplements | Maybe | Replace with KFP or check ingredients
OTC meds (tablets) | Maybe | Consult rabbi or approved list
Prescription meds | Allowed | Use — health takes priority
4. Kitchen & Cooking Tools
Item | Chametz? | What to Do
Toaster, toaster oven | Yes | Clean thoroughly or don’t use on Pesach
Baking sheets, pans | Yes | Kasher if possible or set aside
Dish sponge | Maybe | Replace with a new one
Plasticware (new) | No | Use freely
Aluminum foil, paper towels | No | Use freely
Cutting boards | Yes | Kasher or set aside
5. Leavening Agent Cheat Sheet
Leavening Agent | Chametz? | Notes
Sourdough Starter | Yes | Made from grain + water, actively ferments
Baker's Yeast | Maybe | Needs KFP due to grain-based growth
Brewer’s Yeast | Yes | From beer production (grain) — chametz
Dry Yeast (instant/active) | Maybe | Often needs KFP certification
Nutritional Yeast | No | Deactivated, not from grain — safe
Baking Soda | No | Mineral, chemical leavening — safe
Baking Powder | Maybe | May contain starch — needs KFP
Cream of Tartar | No | Byproduct of wine — safe
Ammonium Bicarbonate | No | Chemical — not chametz
Carbonated Water | No | Gas-based — not chametz
Self-rising Flour | Yes | Contains wheat + leavening — chametz
Soda Bread Mix | Yes | Contains chametz — avoid
Item,Chametz?,Kitniyot?,Ashkenazi Status,Sephardi Status
Wheat,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden
Barley,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden
Rye,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden
Oats,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden
Spelt,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden
Rice (white/brown),No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted
Corn,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted
Cornstarch,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted
Lentils,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted
Beans,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted
Soy,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted
Peas,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted
Millet,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted
Mustard seeds,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted
Couscous,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden
